How to Build a Slot Car Table

You can race slot cars at home on your own track.

Since the Lionel Corporation invented the slot car in 1912, slot car racing has become a popular hobby for participants of all ages. Today's enthusiasts can build tracks at home or race scale model cars in one of more than 300 commercial race tracks in America. Whether you're looking to practice for races or want to recreate a miniature of California coastline, putting together a table is the first step.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood sheet measuring 4'x8'
• Six 2"x4" beams measuring 8' in length
• Four sawhorse clamps
• 3" wood screws
• 1.5" roofing nails
• Electric saw or hand saw
• Power screwdriver
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• Pencil

Instructions

Measure and Cut

1. Measure the 2"x4" beams. Set aside two of the 2"x4" beams (you will not cut these). Take two of the remaining beams and measure and mark sections 45" in length (these will form the cross beams of the table). Then take the other two beams and measure and mark sections 24" in length.

2. Use the power saw to cut the beams from Step 1 into the marked sections. When finished, you will have four 45" sections and eight 24" sections. You will also have some scrap pieces that you will not need to construct the table.

3. Measure positions for the table-top cross sections. Take one of the 8' beams and use a pencil to mark a point 27" from each end.

Construct the Table Base

1. Attach the crossbeams to the table base. Take one of the 45" sections and hold it flat against the inside end of one of the uncut 8' beams (this arrangement should form an "L" shape, with the 45" section as the short leg). Use the power screwdriver to drive two of the 3" screws through the 8' beam into the 45" section. Repeat this step for another 45" section at the other end of the 8' beam, and then again at each of the points you marked at 27" from the ends.

2. Connect the other 8' beam to the four 45" sections. Take the 8' beam with the attached 45" sections and lay it flat on the floor, so the crossbeams point upward. Then lay the remaining uncut 8' beam flat across the crossbeam ends and use the power screwdriver to drive 3" screws through the beam into all of the 45" sections. You now have the frame for the tabletop.

3. Connect the tabletop to the tabletop frame. Lay the 4'x8" section of plywood down on the tabletop frame. Use the hammer and at least 16 of the 1.5" wood nails to connect the top to the frame. Space the nails evenly around the table edge for stability.

Build and Attach the Legs

1. Construct the table legs. Take one of the sawhorse clamps and insert two of the 24" sections. Drive four 24" screws through the clamp and into each side of the 24" sections (two screws per side). Then repeat this process for the remaining three sawhorse clamps.

2. Flip the tabletop over so that the frame is visible. Use the pencil and measuring tape to mark points at 6" in from the 8' beams along the two inside crossbeams.

3. Attach the table legs. Align the top of the sawhorse clamps on the first pair of table legs at one of the points you marked in the previous step. Drive four screws through the holes in the clamp into the 45" crossbeam (two per side). Repeat for the remaining three table legs.

Tips & Warnings

• If children are going to be the primary users of your slot car table, then you can cut shorter table legs.

References

• Home Racing World: Artin 2 Lane Layout In An Afternoon
• Lionel Corporation: Our History
• 2 Fords: History of Slot Car Racing